4/29/06 Phil Savage press conference on second round draft selection D’Qwell Jackson

(opening statement)- “Obviously, we made a move there in the second round and flipped positions with the New Orleans Saints. They are a team who showed interest in Jeff Faine for several months. We felt Jeff was worth a third round value and we were looking for a first-day pick with Jeff. I wasn’t convinced we were going to get one. I felt with the way our board was stacked and D’Qwell Jackson being our next highest rated player, I felt like it was worth the trade. D’Qwell is an outstanding inside linebacker. He would initially line up at the position Ben Taylor played last year. Kamerion Wimbley and D’Qwell Jackson will basically be on the right side in the future. I’m not sure at what point they would play. Romeo is coaching those guys and we do think we have two excellent candidates to fill the right outside linebacker position and the right inside linebacker position. D’Qwell is extremely productive. You learn from experience and you try to compare players. This kid is a football player. This guy is a player who was very well thought of during the season. When the shorts go on and everyone starts doing the testing, he was eventually a guy who would be a second round selection. I’m extremely pleased to get D’Qwell. If December 1, somebody would have told me you are going to come away with Wimbley, a sixth round pick and D’Qwell Jackson in your first two selections of the day, I would say, we wouldn’t have to go to one meeting. We’ll do that right now. We spent a lot of hours and manpower trying to sort through it. We are real pleased. He was one of those 30 guys who came in and visited with us. He’s got a great football demeanor. He’ll bring a presence and he’s a guy who will go toe-to-toe in Pittsburgh. He was one of the few linebackers that you actually saw do some things inside of the box. Despite his size, he’s able to punch off and get through to the outside. He’ll slip through some cracks and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. At the Senior Bowl, in particular the one-on-one blitzes and coverage, he did a great job in that during the week. A lot of people put stock in 40-yard dash times. If you go back and research it and pull out Ray Lewis’ numbers, you will see that they are extremely close. Almost identical. I’m not saying this kid is Ray Lewis, but I’m saying he has some of those same type qualities and same type of demeanor. The people at Maryland will say the same thing. I think we’ve had a terrific first two picks and it’s a great way to get started. I think the picks are starting to come together for us as it relates to free agency.”

(On moving up to draft D’Qwell Jackson)- “We had three linebackers that we thought were second round values. D’Qwell was our next highest player. I said, ‘why are we going to sit here for 10 more picks?’ If we had a chance to go ahead and do something positive for our own team, not only in adding a player, but getting some value for Jeff, I felt like it was very worthwhile to do. Just gauging where we were on our board and the value of the choice, we felt like we should do it. We think he’ll be a good player.”

(On drafting between the pass rush and a run stopper)- “I think Kamerion as a pass rusher will be able to do those sorts of things right off the bat. It may take some time for him to learn to play on his feet as a true outside linebacker. In sub situations, we feel like he will be able to rush the edge and do the same things he did at Florida State. Obviously, someone described the hole at the right inside linebacker spot as the size of Lake Erie. He’s certainly going to be a candidate at that spot. I don’t think he’s going to be handed the job, but he’s another choice for us. We see him playing next to Andra Davis and he’s capable of handling the calls and those sorts of things. This gives us a little flexibility if something were to happen to Andra. (Jackson) could slide over and play the other side and handle the mental part of it. He’s really a quality football player.”

(On Maryland’s defense)- “They’ve played a 3-4 defense in the past with Shawne Merriman. This year, I believe they played more of a 4-3. A lot of times D’Qwell was the bubble linebacker, which meant there was no obstruction between he and the guard. Of all of the linebackers that we’ve watched in this range, he was one of the few that was required to do some things that the 3-4 defense required. These 3-4 linebackers don’t stand still like statues and wait for these 330 pound guards to come out and block them. The guard either steps to the right or the left and then steps up. The good linebackers are already gone by the time the guard gets there. He is a very instinctive player and he’s got excellent football instincts. He’s been playing since he was seven years old. His uncle and grandparents basically raised him and his uncle basically made him a football player. The first time that he was seven, his uncle threw the ball to him and it bounced off of his hands and hit him on his head. That’s when I think he decided to be a linebacker. That’s what he’s played his whole life and that’s what he will be here and we think he’ll be a good one.”

(On a wrist injury suffered in college)- “He did have a wrist situation. He was fine from a medical standpoint from our view.”

(On winning the starting job)- “I think he has the demeanor, presence and mentality to come in and challenge for it. I don’t know whether he can win the job or not. I think he’s extremely experienced and is a three-time All-ACC selection if I’m not mistaken. He was a three-year starter and he played a lot of football there when you go up and down the ACC. He was a player that you were aware of two or three years ago, not just his senior season.”

(On what he liked about D’Qwell Jackson over Abdul Hodge)- “They are similar size-wise. I think D’Qwell has a little bit more athleticism, and a little more movement skills to him. Abdul Hodge is a great player, but we had him rated below where D’Qwell was on our board. There was a difference in speed, quickness and pass coverage and that was a concern. I think that’s why you’ve seen Abdul drop some. If he’s there later, we’ll look at him as well. We liked him.”

(On D’Qwell Jackson’s on-the-field-attitude)- “I’d say he plays with a tough edge to him on the field. He’s soft-spoken and quiet off the field, but he has a quiet confidence. He’s very serious-minded about the game. One of the comments that the staff from Maryland repeated independently from each other was that D’Qwell is a player who handles himself like a pro now. He handles himself well in meetings and with coaches. They had better talent around him in 2004 than in ’05. Obviously, Shawne Merriman was on that team. This year, he kind of became the organizer, signal-caller and made sure everyone was lined up more so than just getting to the ball. If you look back on some of his junior tapes, he has some outstanding games in 2004 and a lot of good ones this year.”

(On who D’Qwell Jackson will compete with for the position)- “We’ve stated before that Matt Stewart might slide inside or Chaun Thompson maybe taking some reps in there. We have at least a group of linebackers now and we will sort through them and see which ones serve us the best.”

(On D’Qwell Jackson’s size)- “You want the measurements and the numbers to verify what you’ve already seen. I heard somebody say one time, once these guys put their helmets on, they are all about the same size anyway. He’s 6’1” if you love him, 6’0” if you like him and 5’11” if you don’t. We liked him and I’m glad he’s going to be part of our team. I’m a little bit in shock to be honest that we have Wimbley and D’Qwell Jackson. It’s a reality and they are both Cleveland Browns. I really didn’t that that was going to happen. “

(On how much a performance at the combine has an effect on the selection)- “100 percent in my mind. We talked about that a lot in our meetings. A couple times that scouts describe someone as a fall guy versus a spring guy. We like the guys who play in the fall. There are obviously exceptions to that and workouts go a long way. Like I said, it’s verifying what you see in the fall. These two guys will run to the ball, play hard and they are good people.”

(On a player’s personality)- “I think it’s important and I think its one reason why we were attracted to D’Qwell. He has been a leader and he’s been someone who plays tough and physical. He tries to get around the football and he knows where the ball is going. I think it’s important. We want people with football temperament and football personality. He’s got that kind of attitude.”

(On drafting with head coach Romeo Crennel)- “As long as we are bringing in good players, he doesn’t care. We have a strong bond. If we went up there and picked three chicken littles, he and I still have a strong bond. It’s a good partnership whether people perceive us picking good players or not. We are very much on the same page. We have a good relationship regardless.”

(On talking with C Jeff Faine)- “I have not talked to Jeff. I left a message for him and we spoke to his agent. Romeo was in the process of getting in touch with him now before the Saints called him. Obviously, this happened quickly and quicker that he and his agent probably expected. They were probably thinking more of a third or fourth round type scenario. We tried to gauge the teams that might have an interest in Jeff during our strategy meetings. The Saints were one of them. Obviously, with LeCharles (Bentley) coming in here, they needed a center. We tried to gauge what kind of value we would get with just a flip without having to give up a pick. Once we got the pick from the Ravens earlier today, I said, we don’t necessarily need another day-two pick. Let’s get value for Jeff right now. The way the board was going, I can’t believe it really happened to be honest.”

(On the trade for Jeff Faine)- “Jeff has not forced any issue. Jeff was willing to do whatever we asked him to do. He was participating in the offseason program. If nothing happened we might have gone the whole way through training camp and even into next season with him. I think our team is stronger and we got a player that we like right now. I think this clears the way for LeCharles to be the center and possibly wear double zero. I think this works for everybody. Jeff’s going to a good team and he’ll be playing against us in the first game. Reggie Bush will be behind him with Drew Brees. He’s going to a team that has some potential to improve. I think it’s a good situation for all involved.”

4/29/06 D’Qwell Jackson conference call

(On being drafted by the Browns)- “I’m excited right now. I’m happy to be picked and happy to be chosen by the Cleveland Browns.”

(On what he brings to the Browns)- “What I bring to the table is a guy that’s going to be accountable and come to work everyday and work day in and day out. I pride myself on showing my example more than speaking and accepting a leadership role when that time comes.”

(On meeting with the Browns)- “I met with Mr. Phil Savage maybe a week ago and we had a good conversation. I felt good about the Cleveland Browns when I left. And when (the pick) happened, it was so surprising. I just couldn’t believe it. Fortunately enough, he was one of the guys who drafted Ray Lewis and he was one of the guys he compared me to, so it’s a match made in heaven.”

(On being able to contribute)- “I have total confidence in my ability. My thing is, I pride myself on being fully prepared when I step on the field, whatever it takes – whether it takes studying extra film or doing extra work in the weight room.”

(On playing with LB Willie McGinest)- “He won a couple championships and just being next to him and having him open up any knowledge will help me become a better football player.”

(On Savage’s comparison to Ray Lewis)- “I know myself and Ray Lewis have similar builds. People say what they want to, but (Savage) was one of the people who actually had say in bringing Ray Lewis in. When he told me that I felt good when I left that place.”

(On doubters)- “People say whatever they want to. I know what type of player I am. I don’t pay attention to any of that. The Cleveland Browns selected me and I’m going to go in and do what D’Qwell Jackson knows what to do.

(On his relationship with Kamerion Wimbley)- “Kamerion, and I met before the season in Virginia. We exchanged numbers and kept in touch. I just got off the phone with him about 15 minutes ago. He congratulated me and I congratulated him. It’s a blessing to be in this position and I’m ready to get to work.”

(On former teammate Shawne Merriman)- “I knew Shawne was going to (succeed) from Day 1. The Chargers were using him just like we used him – off the edge. And he was physical and athletic enough to drop in coverage. I knew it was just a matter of time and he ended up doing it in his first year out. I knew he was going to be a dominant player and he was dominant this year.”

(On waiting to be picked)-  “All I knew was that I was projected to go anywhere from 25 to 45 and I was just waiting for that call. When I got the call from the Cleveland Browns, I was excited and ready to go.”

(On his uncle)- “Since my father was never involved in my life, he was always the father figure in my life. He was there from Day 1. He got me involved in football. He was always there. He always said he wanted a son and always told me I was his son, so he’s always been there and I love the guy to death.”

(On starting immediately)- “Whichever role the Cleveland Browns want me to take, I’m up for it. If they call for me to be in a starting role, I’ll take it. If it calls for me to be in on special teams, I’m a guy who just wants to win and I’ll do whatever it takes to achieve that.”

(On the option of leaving college early a year ago)- “I told myself before my junior season that if I was a definite first-round lock I was going to come out. During that time, I tore a ligament in my wrist so I had to get surgery so I knew I was coming back from Day 1.”

(On his grandparents)- “My grandmother was always there. When my mom worked two or three jobs to support myself and my brother, my grandparents helped raise us. I lost my grandmother before my senior season and my grandfather before my sophomore season. They would always bend over backwards for their grandkids and their kids. I’m here now and I wish they could be here.”

(On his draft day)- “I woke up at around 11:00 a.m. My family and everybody was supposed to meet up around 2:00 p.m. We met up around 2:00 p.m. and I took a drive for a half hour or so just to collect my thoughts. I came back and was just sitting there waiting patiently for someone to call my name. And when they did, I was crying and it was emotional for me.”

D’QWELL JACKSON's BIO

Middle/Outside Linebacker

University of Maryland Terrapins

#52

6:00.2-228

Largo, Florida

Seminole High School

OVERVIEW

D’Qwell is a high-intensity defender who might lack the ideal size you look for in a middle

linebacker, but shows excellent strength, playing speed and field instincts to dominate. In 2005,

Jackson joined former Terps linebacker Eric Henderson as the only players in school history to

earn Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the Year honors. In addition to his standout

career on defense, D’Qwell also contributed by covering kicks on the special team units.

Jackson lettered three times in football at Seminole High School. He spent time at fullback,

linebacker, quarterback and punter. D’Qwell was a first team All-State selection by the Associated

Press as a junior and senior, adding first team All-Conference, All-District and All-Sun Coast

honors in his final season. He was also an All-Time Warner first-team pick, which encompasses

the Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties on Florida's Gulf Coast, and an All-Dixie region

selection by Super Prep. He also garnered All-Southeast Region honors from Prep Star.

D’Qwell played in the prestigious Florida/Georgia All-Star game, where he led all tacklers with ten

stops in a 40-13 Florida win. Seminole High went 23-4 in his last two years and made the regional

finals both seasons. The 2000 team was undefeated in the regular season and finished 12-1. He

recorded 91 tackles with ten sacks as a linebacker and also rushed for 950 yards (5.7-yard

average) and thirteen touchdowns as a fullback during his senior season. He registered 150

tackles with 16 for loss, four forced fumbles and four fumbles recovered as a junior and was the

Warhawk's quarterback in 2000.  Jackson was heavily recruited by Florida, North Carolina State and Louisiana State, but decided to enroll at Maryland. He played in every game as a reserve middle linebacker in 2002, posting 51 tackles (38 solos) with three stops for losses, two forced fumbles and three quarterback pressures.  He took over middle linebacker duties as a sophomore, earning All-Atlantic Coast Conference second-team honors. D’Qwell led the team with 136 tackles (90 solos) and had 2.5 sacks, 7.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage and ten pressures. He caused a fumble, batted away two passes and intercepted two others, returning one 58 yards for a score.  Jackson was named team captain in 2004, picking up All-ACC first-team honors and All-American recognition from College Football News. D’Qwell led the team in tackles again, registering 123 tackles (63 solos). He was credited with four sacks and seven stops for losses while causing and recovering a fumble. He deflected five passes and had a pair of interceptions.  In 2005, the team captain was awarded ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior. He recorded a career-high 137 tackles (56 solos) with four sacks and a team-high 6.5 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He also intercepted two passes and batted away another.  In 48 games at Maryland, D’Qwell started 34 times. He became only the seventh player in school history to record over 400 tackles in a career, ranking fourth on Maryland’s all-time record list with 447 tackles (247 solos). He had 10.5 sacks for minus 62 yards, 24 stops for losses of 89 yards and fifteen quarterback pressures. Jackson caused four fumbles, recovered another and blocked a kick. He also gained 116 yards with a touchdown on six interceptions and deflected eight passes.

CAREER NOTES

Became only the seventh player in school history to record over 400 tackles in a career… His 447

tackles rank fourth on Maryland’s all-time record list behind linebackers Eric Wilson (481, 1981-

84), E.J. Henderson (473, 1999-2002) and Chuck Faucette (466, 1983-86)…In 2005, D’Qwell

joined Henderson as the only Terps to earn Atlantic Coast Conference Defensive Player of the

Year honors…His 24 tackles behind the line of scrimmage is tied for twelfth on the school’s

career-record list…Joined Ratcliff Thomas (1993-95) and Henderson (2000-02) as the only

Maryland players to lead the team in tackles three consecutive seasons.

2005 SEASON

All-American first-team selection by the American Football Coaches Association and The

Sporting News, adding second-team honors from The NFL Draft Report…Bednarik Award

finalist…All-Atlantic Coast Conference first-team pick and Defensive Player of the Year…

Ranked second in the nation with an average of 13.7 tackles per game…Led the team and the

ACC with a career-high 137 tackles (56 solos)…Second on the squad with four sacks for minus

19 yards and led the defense with 6.5 stops for losses of 24 yards…Had one pass deflection and

a quarterback pressure…The two-time team captain also had a pair of interceptions for the third

consecutive year, gaining 22 yards on the returns…Registered at least ten tackles in eight

games.

2004 SEASON

All-American first-team selection by College Football News, adding honorable mention from Pro

Football Weekly…All-ACC first-team choice…Started every game at middle linebacker, leading

the conference with 123 tackles (63 solos)…Finished second on the team with four sacks for

minus 26 yards and had seven stops for losses of 35 yards… Also credited with a quarterback

pressure, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery…Had five pass deflections and two

interceptions for 36 yards in returns…Posted at least ten tackles in six contests.

2003 SEASON

Second-team All-ACC selection…Moved into the starting lineup at middle linebacker, leading the

team and ranking seventh in the conference with 136 tackles (90 solos)…Had 2.5 sacks for

minus 17 yards, 7.5 stops for losses of 27 yards and ten pressures…Caused a fumble and

deflected two passes…Blocked a kick and gained 58 yards with a touchdown on two

interceptions.

2002 SEASON

Valuable reserve, leading all freshmen defenders with 51 tackles (38 solos) in fourteen

games…Had three stops behind the line of scrimmage, two forced fumbles and three quarterback

pressures.

CAMPUS AGILITY TESTS

4.71 in the 40-yard dash…365-pound bench press…580-pound squat…352-pound power

clean…36-inch vertical jump…31-inch arm length…8 7/8-inch hands…Right-handed.

HIGH SCHOOL

Attended Seminole (Seminole, Fla.) High School, playing football for head coach Sam

Roper…Lettered three times in football, competing as a fullback, linebacker, quarterback and

punter…First team All-State selection by the Associated Press as a junior and senior, adding first

team All-Conference, All-District and All-Sun Coast honors in his final year… All-Time Warner

first-team pick, which encompasses the Pinellas, Pasco and Hillsborough counties on Florida's

Gulf Coast, and an All-Dixie region selection by Super Prep…Also garnered All-Southeast Region

honors from Prep Star…Played in the prestigious Florida-Georgia All-Star game, where he led all

tacklers with ten stops in a 40-13 Florida win… Seminole High went 23-4 in his last two years and

made the regional finals both seasons… The 2000 team was undefeated in the regular season

and finished 12-1…Recorded 91 tackles with ten sacks as a linebacker and also rushed for 950

yards (5.7-yard average) and thirteen touchdowns as a fullback during his senior

season…Registered 150 tackles with 16 for loss, four forced fumbles and four fumbles recovered

as a junior and was the Warhawk's quarterback in 2000…Vice president of the Varsity

Lettermen's Club.

PERSONAL

Criminology and Criminal Justice major…Served as a mentor for youngsters at a local elementary

school…Son of Debra and Willie Jackson (raised by his grandmother)…Born

D'Qwell (pronounced dee-KWELL) Jackson on 9/26/83...Resides in Largo, Florida.